Local recruitment: NR Area Hydrologist

Job ID: 71351

Location: Ortonville

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Unlimited

At the DNR, we are committed to the conservation and management of the state’s natural resources for outdoor recreation, economic development, and a sustainable quality of life. Apply with us and find your path.

Job Details

Working Title: Area Hydrologist
Job Class: Natural Resources Area Hydrologist
Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 11/22/2023
• Closing Date: 12/12/2023
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Natural Resources
• Division/Unit: Division of Ecological and Water Resources
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday – Friday
• Travel Required: Yes – Occasional travel for meetings and site visits.
• Salary Range: $30.55 – $45.02 / hourly; $63,788 – $94,001 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 – MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• FLSA Status: Exempt – Professional
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

Job Summary

The Division of Ecological and Water Resources is looking to hire a Area Hydrologist located in Ortonville. This position exists to ensure sustainability of the State’s water resources through management of the activities of the public within a geographic work area comprised of the Minnesota River Headwaters watershed, the Lac Qui Parle River/ Yellow Bank River watershed, and the southern half of the Pomme de Terre watershed. For land use programs, including shoreland and floodplain management, the work area is comprised Big Stone, Lac Qui Parle, and portions of Yellow Medicine and Swift Counties.  This position also completes work assignments that involve state-wide projects and/or policy.Responsibilities:

• Provide assistance to local communities, Rural Water Systems, and other water appropriators regarding the management of both surface and groundwater.  Work with inter-agency Drinking Water/Groundwater team to define, prioritize and establish Water Appropriation and use Management Plans Groundwater Management Areas in Minnesota.  Participate in and facilitate data collection, monitoring, and analysis to develop a comprehensive water sustainability framework.  Assess impacts of projects to drinking water quantity and quality, existing water appropriations, and establish thresholds on water users to protect limited and/or threatened aquifers and surface water features.
• Provide advanced technical and planning assistance to state agencies, local government units, watershed districts, lake, river, and watershed associations and other teams in the development of watershed studies, including major Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies (WRAPS). These studies will strive to address sources of water quality impairments and identify water resource protection and restoration strategies. The WRAPS outputs will address federal Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements and be incorporated into locally generated implementation plans. The Division/Department goal is to facilitate effective input into these study and implementation planning efforts so that comprehensive, ecological system-based outcomes are reached for lake and river water quality impairments in the region. Focus will be given to watershed wide assessment of hydrology, biology, geomorphology, water quality, and connectivity to promote overall watershed health and protection.  Identification and prioritization of natural landscape protection and restorations priorities will be a key part of this process.
• Provide expertise in a variety of areas to help local government units, interest groups and landowners restore and manage landscapes resulting in cleaner water and long-term ecosystem health. Utilize natural landscape options to create healthy watersheds including normalizing the hydrograph. This position will work with internal and external partners on developing best management practices, particularly as they relate to impaired hydrology, shoreland stabilization and agricultural drainage.
• Promote and implement water resource conservation and sustainability.

This position has a flexible work arrangement and may be eligible to telework on a full or part-time basis which is subject to change. If approved, the employee would be required to complete a telework agreement. 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Transcripts are required for this position. Applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be sent instructions for transcript review after the posting close date.

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geological Engineering, Hydrology, Forest Hydrology, Geography, Geology, Geophysics, Hydrogeology, Natural Resources, Environmental Studies, Soil Science, Water Resources Management, Hydraulics, Environmental Science, Earth Science, or related major.
• Transcript requirement(s):
  • A minimum of three (3) hydrology qualifying courses in the areas of: Hydrology, Hydraulics, Hydrogeology/Groundwater Hydrology, Water Resources Engineering, Hydrologic Modeling, Watershed Management, Groundwater, Fluid Mechanics, fluvial geomorphology.
  • OR Two hydrology qualifying courses and two courses (or equivalent experience) in: Geology, Geomorphology, Geochemistry, Geography, Limnology, Erosion and Sediment Control, Environmental Engineering, Soils.
• At least 3 years of total professional experience with 2 years of advanced professional experience at the Hydrologist 2 level or equivalent in surface water or groundwater hydrology, soil and water resource management, water planning or regulation, or related technical or regulatory work. An advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in the appropriate major (see education requirements) may substitute for 1 year of experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of hydrology, hydrogeology, geomorphology, geology, watershed management, and natural resource management.
• Knowledge and understanding of the underlying laws, rules, and policies that guide the Department’s water and related land use management programs and political processes.
• Knowledge and understanding of hydrologic analyses and an ability to evaluate the impact of hydrology on riverine and lake systems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with local governmental units, state and federal agencies, conservation groups and individuals from the general public. Team building and leadership skills necessary to bring together diverse interest to accomplish common natural resources objectives.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with individuals and groups with diverse interests. Team building and leadership skills necessary to bring together diverse interest to accomplish common natural resources objectives.
• Ability to communicate effectively through writing, and public presentation and experience developing, reviewing, and evaluating technical reports.
• Ability to convey technical information to teams and individuals with diverse technical, social, cultural, and educational backgrounds in ways that helps them understand the information and apply it to the situation at hand. 
• Working knowledge to collaborate with partners using coordinated resource management to identify issues and formulate solutions to water resource management problems.
• Ability to prioritize and coordinate multiple time-sensitive and complex projects; plan and allocate time and resources as necessary; establish and meet deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in any of the disciplines listed above. 
• Knowledge and experience working with state and federal resource management agencies, and local governmental units with an understanding of their respective authorities, programs and responsibilities that pertain to land and water resource management.
• Experience with water resource planning and management in state, federal or local units of government.
• Experience working with Watershed Districts and/or Soil and Water Conservation Districts in developing solutions to comprehensive water resource problems.
• Experience/coursework with GIS-based software applications (i.e. ArcMap/ArcGIS Pro)
• Experience with conflict resolution and communication of information in contentious or difficult situations.
• Experience with use of survey equipment

Additional Requirements

This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record.

Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations. 

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. 

It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

• Conflict of Interest Review
• Criminal History Check
• Education Verification
• Employment Reference / Records Check
• License / Certification Verification

Application Details

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

If you have questions about the position, contact Ethan Jenzen at Ethan.Jenzen@state.mn.us or 320-372-2620.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to assist with the application process, please contact the ADA Coordinator at ADA.DNR@state.mn.us. To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Victoria Hansen at tori.hansen@state.mn.us.

Why Work for Us

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Public pension plan
• Training and professional development
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays each year
• Paid parental leave
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Dependent care spending account
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and indicate what assistance is needed.